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Bob Willis

The man who added Dylan as a middle name, in honour of his idol Bob Dylan, certainly knew how to rock the Australians.

Last Updated: 02/07/13 3:18pm

The man who added Dylan as a middle name, in honour of his idol, musician Bob Dylan, certainly knew how to rock the Australians.

The big perm and unique run-up, with the arm pumping behind his back as he charged in from almost next to the sightscreen at an acute angle, made Willis instantly recognisable on the field.

However, it could all have been different had he succumbed to knee problems that needed major operations in 1975.

He got himself back into physical shape with a gruelling running regime and developed a steely determination for success that helped him go on and become one of England's greatest ever quick bowlers.

Willis, who won the county championship with Surrey and then Warwickshire in back-to-back seasons, began his international career in 1971 against Australia in Sydney, when he picked up just a single wicket in 12 overs of work.

Better times were ahead, though, with his finest moment coming in the Headingley Test of the 1981 Ashes series. While Botham may be remembered for his heroics with the bat it was Willis who bowled England to glory on the final day, taking 8-43.

The lanky paceman finished with 325 wickets to his name and also captained his country 18 times, too.

He played his part in some record partnerships down the bottom of the order - a fair effort for a man who once went out to the middle to face Lillee and Thompson without a bat.